Justin Blackmon

The Jaguars seem to view any future contribution from Blackmon – who has yet to reinstated by the NFL -- as a bonus, and it now seems the suspended former No. 5 overall selection is in danger of missi...

It remains unclear whether Blackmon will return to the Jaguars at some point in the future, the Florida Times-Union reports.

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When asked about Blackmon, Jags GM Dave Caldwell reiterated that he is unaware whether the former first-round pick will rejoin the team. "Our process hasn't changed," Caldwell said. "Plan to go without him, but if he emerges, he emerges and he's going to go in with those top guys and compete with those other guys. Hopefully we're able to get some news, but if not, we weren't planning on it, we're just going to go." Blackmon, who has had a number of run-ins with the law involving marijuana and alcohol, was effective in 2013, catching 29 passes for 415 yards and a touchdown, but a suspension limited him to only four games. If he returns to the team, he'll have to prove his way back onto the active roster, and at this point, it seems as though the Jaguars are more than prepared to move forth without him.

Blackmon, who was also reportedly issued a traffic citation Wednesday, is currently suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy. In order to be eligible to play at all this coming season, the wideout would need to file for reinstatement with commissioner Roger Goodell. Wednesday's alleged incident presumably doesn't help Blackmon's chances on that front, with the report noting that the Jaguars don't expect the receiver to be eligible to play this season.

The report notes that the Jaguars have indicated that they have had little or no communication with Blackmon, who has been suspended under the league's substance abuse policy since last November. Meanwhile, the NFL has not provided any sort of timetable for when the wideout can apply for reinstatement. "Someone’s status in the program is confidential," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello noted. "Until further notice, we have no information to provide or nothing to say." While the report suggests that the Jaguars have no intention of releasing Blackmon at this stage, it appears as though the team is braced for a scenario in which he is unlikely to be reinstated in 2014.

5/2/2014

Blackmon (suspension) is not expected to suit up for the Jaguars in 2014, NFL.com reports. "It's not something we're counting on," GM David Caldwell said.

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Caldwell indicated he'd be "relatively surprised" if Blackmon played in 2014 after the fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft was suspended indefinitely without pay last season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The Jaguars have not been in regular contact with Blackmon since the suspension, and he'd first need to be reinstated by the league before being eligible to play. Jacksonville is able to release Blackmon at any point, but they'll likely hold onto his rights until his situation regarding the suspension is cleared up. Blackmon has been a dynamic receiver when in the lineup, but injuries and off-the-field issues limited him to just 20 games over the last two seasons. In 2013, Blackmon finished with 29 catches for 415 yards and one touchdown in four contests.

3/15/2014

Blackmon (suspension) was uninjured in a one-vehicle accident early Saturday morning, the Florida Times-Union reports. Alcohol was not involved.

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Blackmon's rear right tire blew out while he was driving, causing the vehicle to swerve into a guard rail. Blackmon luckily escaped the scare with no injuries, and it seems that he was not at all at fault. He remains suspended indefinitely due to multiple violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy.

After Blackmon was suspended indefinitely for a second violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy during the 2013 season, his status is up in the air. For Blackmon to return, he’d have to first apply for reinstatement by the NFL, and even if they signed off, he’s have to convince the Jaguars to integrate him back into the team. In May GM David Caldwell indicated he wasn’t counting on Blackmon and backed that up a week later by drafting two wideouts in the second round. While Jacksonville could release Blackmon, they’re likely to wait at least until his NFL status is cleared up as they’re not obligated to pay him while he’s out. Nonetheless, this is a top talent as evidenced by his four-game, 415-yard showing on 8.6 YPT despite playing for one of the weaker passing teams in the league. Were he reinstated, the speedy 6-1, 210-pound Blackmon could draw interest from someone, provided he can convince them he’ll stay focused.

2013

Buoyed by a 236-yard game against the Texans in Week 11, Blackmon's output over the last seven games of his rookie season (38-615-4) seemed to portend a Year 2 breakout. That is, until he was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Taken with the fifth pick in the 2012 draft, the 6-1, 207-pound Blackmon isn't overly fast, but he's a polished route runner with good ball skills and knack for making big plays. His efficiency numbers last year (13.5 YPC) and (6.5 YPT) were poor, but considering the Jaguars averaged only 6.4 YPA as a team, it's hard to hang too much of that on Blackmon (though teammate Cecil Shorts did average 9.3 YPT).
This year, Blackmon will be playing for a new GM, head coach and offensive coordinator, and the extent to which they open up the offense remains to be seen. One decision they’ve made already – to give Blaine Gabbert another chance to compete for the quarterback job – doesn’t bode well for Blackmon who came to life only after Chad Henne took over.
Finally, as highly as Blackmon was drafted, the new regime has no ties to that pick, and so his margin for further off-the-field errors in judgment could be slim.

2012

The fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft, Blackmon is a highly polished prospect who should vie to be the Jaguars’ top target right out of the gate. At 6-1, 207, and with 4.5 speed, Blackmon’s not blowing anyone away with his physical skills, but he’s an excellent route runner, possesses soft hands and did nothing but make plays throughout his college career – in his last 25 games at Oklahoma State, Blackmon had 232 catches for 3,304 yards (14.2 YPC) and 38 touchdowns, as well as 136 yards and a touchdown rushing. The Jaguars quarterback situation is arguably the worst in the league right now with Blaine Gabbert showing nothing during his rookie year, and Chad Henne failing to distinguish himself since coming into the league. But with only Laurent Robinson and Mike Thomas as competition for targets, Blackmon has a chance to be the focus of the passing game as a rookie.